December News  12/20/2019



 TDA Wishes You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Wisconsin Transportation News
Transportation Projects Commission Meets
after 5-Year Hiatus
The Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) recently met for the first time since 2014. WisDOT staff updated commission members on Major Highway and Southeast Freeway Mega projects and studies.  

WisDOT recommended, and the commission approved, the removal of the following three previously suspended projects from the Majors Program:
  • US 8 (WIS 35 to US 53), Polk and Barron counties
  • WIS 11/US 14 (Janesville to I-43), Rock and Walworth counties
  • US 12 (Fort Atkinson Bypass), Jefferson county

The department did not recommend any new studies at the December meeting.

The 15-member TPC – composed of a bipartisan group of legislators and three citizen members – is tasked with reviewing major highway project candidates and making recommendations to the governor and legislature regarding which projects to "enumerate" for inclusion in the state budget. More
Transportation in the News
Other Transportation News
Congress Passes FY2020 Funding Bills, $4 Billion in Supplemental Transportation Funding
Congress passed two spending bills this week to fund the federal government through September 30 and avert a shutdown.

The FY2020 transportation package honors the FAST Act's $1.29 billion increase in core highway and transit investment but is short $300 million in the transit Capital Investment Grant program. The measure also provides $3.35 billion for the Airport Improvement Program.

Like FY 2018 and FY 2019, the FY 2020 bill increases transportation funding over the amounts authorized in the FAST Act. The $4.08 billion supplemental investment includes:
  • $2.17 billion for highways
  • $400 million for airport capital projects
  • $510 million for bus and transit program grants
  • $1 billion for BUILD multi-modal discretionary grants

President Trump is expected to sign the bills today.
FCC Votes To Move Forward With 5.9 GHz Reallocation Proposal
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted to move forward with reallocating a portion of the 5.9 GHz wireless spectrum from transportation-only use to unlicensed WiFi. The current draft must be placed in the Federal Register and then undergo a 30-day comment period before final implementation.

In August, leaders from all 50 state departments of transportation, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia signed a letter urging the FCC to reserve the 5.9 GHz band for emerging transportation safety technology. More
Record-Breaking Numbers to Hit the Roads this Holiday Season
An all-time high of more than 115 million Americans will be traveling this holiday season (December 21-January 1), according to AAA and INRIX, a global transportation analytics company. This is 4.3 million more travelers than in 2018 and a 3.9% increase.

With 104.8 million Americans on the road, be sure to take your time and get to your destination safely. More
Status of the States
Connecticut Lawmakers Delay Vote on Transportation Plan
Governor Ned Lamont's (D) plan to increase funding for Connecticut transportation using truck-only tolling is facing pushback from the trucking industry. Some lawmakers are also concerned about a federal legal challenge to truck-only tolls in Rhode Island. Despite this, Lamont says he is confident the plan will be approved. More
Kentucky Chamber CEO Urges Gas Tax Increase
Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber, highlights the importance of investing in Kentucky's infrastructure and the need for increased funding. "But if we don't fix our infrastructure, maintain our roads and bridges and invest in new infrastructure, we will quickly fall behind," Watts said. More
Association News
TDA Welcomes New Member
National Charter Bus is a nationwide charter bus rental service that offers private bus rentals for corporate outings, weddings, personal trips, sports events, church trips, and more. 
TDA Events
  • Stayed tuned for more dates early next year!
  • TDA Annual Meeting: Thursday, November 12
Other Upcoming Event Dates